Jump to content

Elgin Pocket Watch Barrel Mystery - What's Missing?

DeanBurrill
 Share

Recommended Posts

DeanBurrill New Member

DeanBurrill

Posted
Posted

Hi folks, Attached is a photo of the bottom of the barrel (haha) from my Elgin 18s 21j movement 149.  Notice the indentations and tiny hole as if a wheel and some sort with a spring possibly fit here.  There was no part occupying this space when I dismantled the watch, and from the parts listed for this movement on pocketwatchdatabase.com nothing stands out to me as fitting.  Does anyone have any ideas?

IMG_3359.jpeg

JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted
9 hours ago, DeanBurrill said:

There was no part occupying this space when I dismantled the watch, and from the parts listed for this movement on pocketwatchdatabase.com nothing stands out to me as fitting

Typically watchmakers like to steal them because they do. But from the look of your barrel I doubt that even had one. Then as already stated above to work just fine without it.

I snipped out a page of the parts catalog. I suspect the other thing we might be seeing is there are probably some variations so some watches probably have the stop works and some did not but they all use the same barrel conceivably.

I'm curious about your pocket watch is this your first entry in the watch repair?

Elgin barrels 18 size problems.JPG

  • Like 1
DeanBurrill New Member

DeanBurrill

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Kalanag & JohnR725 - Thank you for solving this mystery!  I need to read up on the Stop Works.  John to answer your question - yes this is the very first watch I've stripped and re-assembled.  The first time I just did it to see if I could... I didn't clean anything or oil anything.  The second time I cleaned it throughly and was in the process of properly reassembling/lubricating it when I noticed the missing parts.  I won't worry about them for now, but will keep my eyes open for a complete barrel.. perhaps I can replace them at some point.  Thanks again to both of you!

JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, DeanBurrill said:

I won't worry about them for now, but will keep my eyes open for a complete barrel.

Unfortunately in vintage watch repair unless you have a time machine go back in time to visit the factory I would leave whatever you have with the watch. The watches were made in batches typically and finding another barrel that's going to be exactly right and fit is going to be problematic.

What I'm really curious about is we have a picture of your watch? Or the serial number perhaps.

DeanBurrill New Member

DeanBurrill

Posted
  • Author
Posted

John, sorry to leave you hanging.  I don't have a photo of the watch all in one piece.  Ser #. is 66775.16.  Its an 18s 21j hunter style movement.  According to the Pocketwatch Database is a 194 series dating to ca1897.  Beautifully decorated.  Single plate construction.

JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted
56 minutes ago, DeanBurrill said:

I don't have a photo of the watch all in one piece

Sometimes it's nice to take photos of the watch assembled and then as your disassembling just in case you forget were all the bits and pieces go. I would just curious to see what the movement look like so I went to the pocket watch database the book that if they are.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/6677516

 

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • VWatchie
      What's your thoughts on this Rolex Sea-Dweller, ref. 16600, calibre 3135 project?

      By VWatchie · Posted

      Well, my fundamental stance is that I want to go in and out without leaving any trace other than a shining, perfectly running movement. So, no scratchings on the inside of the case back lid, no marred screws, no debris, no fingerprints, and so on. That is, my goal is to make it impossible for the FBI to track me down. As a professional, I suppose you might want to keep track of returning watches, but as @JohnR725 mentioned, we can keep detailed computer records without marking the watch at all. That may not be true for every watch, but luxury and COSC-certified movements do have unique numbers. John also says it’s best to leave no sign you were ever there, and I couldn't agree more. Now, suppose the Sea-Dweller I'm working on is one day scrapped, and you want to sell the case-back separately (perhaps the case was destroyed in a plane crash). Then the scribbles on the inside no longer reflect the current movement inside the case. Also, the engraving will likely halve the market value of the case back. It had been "sleeping" for about a week and a half. Yes, the "debris/old lubricant" theory is my hypothesis as well! It will be interesting to see what I find once I have time to start disassembling the movement.
    • MikeEll
      Help with repairing a quartz clock

      By MikeEll · Posted

      I've repaired a few of these, having some success with stripping and cleaning the mechanism.  They are so cheap though, its hardly worth the effort in many cases.
    • watchweasol
      Oldhippy

      By watchweasol · Posted

      Get well soon Old Hippy, torn muscles.,  not good
    • SwissSeiko
      A lathe with indexing that won't break the bank?

      By SwissSeiko · Posted

      Id love to see how he has the output shaft mounted to this setup, as I have the same rotary stage and stepper in my build.
    • Poljot
      Broken watch stem in watch crown

      By Poljot · Posted

      If you see at least one thread protruding, or even a half, then you may have a chance using this "tool", but don't squeeze hard. Lot's of patience, and if you notice any signs of loctite or other adhesives, then apply several drops of acetone on top of broken stem. Use heat (hair dryer) also. You should be able gradually turn it counterclockwise, just like i did on this broken Timex stem, which was glued with something like nail hardener. Then you can use an extender to save your broken stem. https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513DVvkfW5L.__AC_SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg   You can also try cutting a small grove / slot on top of the broken stem to use 0.7mm flat screwdriver.   Depending on the Crown material and Stem material, you can try dissolving the stem. 
×
×
  • Create New...